Peer says his name should not be used in legal letter in island cafe dog snub row
Former MP previously resigned from organisation embroiled in Western Isles legal row
A former Scotland office minister has demanded that his name is removed from a letter reportedly being used by a woman suing a Western Isles charity after her dog was refused entry to its cafe.
Labour peer Lord Foulkes said he has asked the Ethnic Minorities Law Centre (EMLC) to ensure his name is not used in connection with “any action” it is involved with regarding the US national, Claire Kellerman.
Ms Kellerman, the niece and adoptive daughter of the late actress, Sally Kellerman, who played the part of Major Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan in Robert Altman's 1970 hit film, M*A*S*H, is suing a Western Isles charity for £10,000 after her dog was allegedly refused admission to a café it operates.
Ms Kellerman has raised the claim against Bernera Community Association (BCA), members of the charity warning the the cafe will face closure if it cannot pay its legal bills.
Lord Foulkes earlier resigned from his position as patron at the EMLC over its involvement with the case raised by Ms Kellerman, who claims her pet is an assistance animal and that she has been discriminated against.
Now, the former Labour MP and MSP has written to the Glasgow-based organisation over his concerns about the letter, which is reportedly being shown by Ms Kellerman to businesses across the islands.
The letter, which reportedly names Lord Foulkes as a patron, states: “A refusal of entry, refusal of service or unfavourable treatment arising from the presence of an assistance dog may amount to unlawful discrimination contrary to the Equality Act 2010.
“For the avoidance of doubt: There is no legal requirement in the United Kingdom for an assistance dog to be registered, certified or carry identification documentation.”
Lord Foulkes said: “I have again written to the Ethnic Minorities Law Centre’s chairman making clear my name should not be used in connection with any action they are involved in on behalf of Ms Kellerman. I have told them she must cease and desist from use of that letter, so long as it has my name is on it.”
Lord Foulkes said that in 2018, following he death of the former Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, he was asked to take his place as a patron of the EMLC, a request he “enthusiastically agreed” to given his concern for many people from ethnic minorities.
But he said that over the past eight years, he was not asked to attend any meetings, and was not involved “in any aspect of their work.” He said his position as patron slipped his mind until the publicity surrounding Ms Kellerman’s legal action.
He added: “Following the publicity, I have had strong support from people with disabilities who really need access with their assistance dogs and fear this case is harming their genuine needs.”
The EMLC has been approached for comment.
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